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March 12, 2025
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10
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What is Puppeteer and How It Changed Browser Automation: A Complete Overview
George Miloradovich
Researcher, Copywriter & Usecase Interviewer
Puppeteer is a Node.js library developed by Google to automate browser tasks like web scraping, testing, and generating PDFs or screenshots. It uses the Chrome DevTools Protocol for precise browser control and supports headless (no UI) and headful (with UI) modes. Starting with version 23, Puppeteer expanded to support Firefox, making it a key tool for cross-browser automation.
Main Features
Puppeteer stands out with its advanced tools for data extraction, testing, and debugging, making it a go-to choice for browser automation.
Latenode is a low-code platform for workflow automation and integrating various services, API systems, AI models, and code. It allows you to integrate a Headless Browser into your scenarios effortlessly and connect it with other tools.
Use it to scrape all public information from websites, take screenshots of web pages, and fill out forms. Essentially, it's Puppeteer, just integrated as a node in Latenode. Search for it in the Code folder in Latenode's library. When you open it, you'll get access to the code editor and proxy settings.
Instead of spending hours configuring libraries on your system, use this node directly to transmit data via webhooks and track currency exchange rate changes on the bank’s website, as shown in the video guide above. Here’s a scenario that includes Webhook Trigger + Headless Browser + Webhook Response. Try it now!
SCENARIO
Puppeteer simplifies extracting data from dynamic websites. With its ability to interact directly with the DOM, you can target elements using CSS selectors or run custom scripts for precise results.
Here’s a breakdown of its data collection capabilities:
| Feature | Purpose | Performance Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Element Selection | Targets specific elements using CSS selectors | Minimal overhead |
| Network Interception | Monitors and controls HTTP requests | Medium impact |
| JavaScript Execution | Extracts dynamic data by manipulating content | Depends on script complexity |
By blocking unnecessary resources, bandwidth usage can be reduced by up to 80%.
Puppeteer makes browser testing more efficient with tools that replicate real-world scenarios. Its API supports a wide range of testing needs, including:
Running tests in headless mode ({headless: true}) ensures faster execution with minimal resource usage.
Debugging with Puppeteer is straightforward and effective, cutting down troubleshooting time significantly. Enabling slow-motion execution can reduce debugging time by around 30%.
Best practices for debugging include:
waitForSelector() and detailed logging for accurate issue identification
page.on('requestfailed')
"Puppeteer is a powerful Node.js library developed by Google that automates and streamlines front-end development and testing. It provides a robust API to interact with web pages, perform automated actions, and execute browser tasks with high precision and control." - Lambdatest.com
These tools and techniques highlight Puppeteer's versatility, setting the stage for its seamless integration in the upcoming setup guide.
Puppeteer uses the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) to connect its Node.js code directly to browser functions. This setup allows it to execute JavaScript within the page context, intercept network requests, manipulate the DOM, and control browser features. These capabilities shape how Puppeteer operates, including its support for different browser modes.
Puppeteer supports two browser modes:
| Mode | Performance | Resource Usage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headless | Faster | Minimal | Automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, web scraping on Latenode via Direct integration |
| Non-headless | Standard | Higher | Debugging, visual verification, demonstrations |
Starting with version 22, the default headless mode uses chrome-headless-shell for improved performance. You can enable it by setting headless: 'shell'.
Puppeteer's architecture is built around three main components:
This efficient design ensures minimal performance overhead, making Puppeteer a solid choice for large-scale automation tasks. By operating at the DOM level, Puppeteer can handle dynamic content generated by JavaScript, a critical feature for modern web applications.
| Feature | Puppeteer | Selenium |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | JavaScript | Multiple (Python, Java, etc.) |
| Browser Support | Chrome, Chromium, Firefox | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc. |
| Speed | Faster | Slower |
| Setup Complexity | Simple | Moderate |
Puppeteer is ideal for JavaScript developers focusing on Chrome-based automation, while Selenium is better for teams needing broader browser and language support. The article explores Puppeteer's features, setup, use cases, and its impact on testing, data collection, and CI/CD workflows.
Learn how to get started with Puppeteer, from installation to running your first scripts.
To install Puppeteer (requires Node.js v14 or higher), use npm:
npm install puppeteer
Make sure your system meets these basic requirements:
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Node.js | v14.0.0+ |
| Chrome/Chromium | Auto-installed |
On Linux, additional dependencies may be necessary. For Debian-based distributions, run:
apt-get install -y chromium-browser
Once installed, you can test your setup with a simple script.
Here’s a quick example to capture a screenshot of the Node.js homepage:
const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
async function captureScreenshot() {
const browser = await puppeteer.launch();
const page = await browser.newPage();
try {
await page.goto('https://nodejs.org/en');
await page.waitForSelector('.header', {timeout: 5000});
await page.screenshot({path: 'nodejs-home.png'});
} catch (error) {
console.error('Error:', error);
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
}
captureScreenshot();
Here are a few ideas to kick off your automation tasks:
const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
async function scrapeData() {
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
headless: true,
args: ['--no-sandbox']
});
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.setDefaultTimeout(30000);
try {
await page.goto('your_target_url');
const title = await page.title();
const url = await page.url();
console.log(`Page Title: ${title}URL: ${url}`);
} catch (error) {
console.error('Error:', error);
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
}
PUPPETEER_CACHE_DIR environment variable if browser installation fails.
--no-sandbox flag when running as root.
These examples and tips will help you build more advanced automation scripts with Puppeteer.
Let's break down how Puppeteer stacks up against Selenium by examining their features, strengths, and limitations.
In performance tests, Puppeteer completes scraping tasks in 849.46ms, while Selenium takes 1,008.08ms.
Here's a side-by-side look at their features:
| Feature | Puppeteer | Selenium |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | JavaScript | Multiple (Python, JavaScript, Java, PHP, Ruby, C#, Kotlin) |
| Browser Compatibility | Chrome/Chromium, Firefox | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, IE |
| Protocol | Chrome DevTools Protocol | WebDriver Protocol |
| Setup Complexity | Simple | Moderate |
| Execution Speed | Faster | Slower |
| Community Size | Growing | Large, established |
Puppeteer shines in several areas:
However, Puppeteer does have some drawbacks:
For teams requiring extensive browser compatibility or multi-language support, Selenium might be the better choice, even if it runs slower. This comparison highlights Puppeteer's role in areas like testing, data collection, and CI integrations.
Since its launch by Google in 2017, Puppeteer has become a game-changer for automated testing, data extraction, and development workflows.
Puppeteer has transformed browser testing by offering quicker, more dependable automated tests through its headless mode and integration with the Chrome DevTools Protocol.
Here’s how it has shaped testing practices:
Its compatibility with JavaScript testing frameworks like Jest, Mocha, and Jasmine has made it easier for teams to adopt wide-ranging testing strategies. These advancements also support better data collection techniques.
Puppeteer has improved web scraping, especially for websites with dynamic, JavaScript-heavy designs.
Notable improvements include:
Puppeteer’s capabilities extend to optimizing CI/CD workflows. For instance, in February 2025, Pradap Pandiyan showcased how Puppeteer tests in GitLab CI, using a lightweight Alpine-based Node.js image, improved efficiency. By skipping Chromium downloads during installation and using system-installed Chromium, builds became faster.
Key CI/CD benefits include:
These features have made Puppeteer a critical tool for modern development teams, especially those focused on automation and continuous deployment.
Puppeteer is building on its current success to address the growing demands of automation. With a focus on improving compatibility, refining protocols, and exploring AI-driven features, the tool is evolving to meet modern challenges.
The Puppeteer team has been prioritizing cross-browser compatibility and API standardization. A major step forward was the introduction of first-class Firefox support in version 23, with ongoing improvements in this area. Another key focus is the implementation of WebDriver BiDi, a new protocol that blends the strengths of WebDriver "Classic" and Chrome DevTools Protocol.
Current development goals include:
Mozilla’s transition from CDP to WebDriver BiDi reflects a broader industry push toward unified standards. These updates aim to provide developers with more dependable and efficient tools for automation.
AI is poised to play a major role in shaping the future of automation. Puppeteer is exploring AI-powered features to enhance workflows, such as:
When integrating AI features, it’s crucial to review security policies, especially when sharing HTML content with external AI providers. This is particularly important for teams handling sensitive information or working under strict compliance rules.
Advancements in browser technologies are also influencing Puppeteer’s roadmap. WebDriver BiDi is a standout development, offering a unified approach to automation that works across browsers.
| Technology Trend | Impact on Puppeteer |
|---|---|
| WebDriver BiDi | Enables automation across browsers with fewer gaps. |
| AI Integration | Adds smarter, more adaptive testing capabilities. |
| Cross-Browser Protocols | Reduces compatibility issues and maintenance work. |
The Puppeteer team encourages feedback to help shape future features and close existing gaps. Key areas of focus include:
These updates ensure Puppeteer remains at the forefront of browser automation, ready to tackle evolving technologies and new use cases.
Puppeteer has made a name for itself in browser automation, with over 90,000 GitHub stars and 9,200 forks. Here's a breakdown of its main features:
| Feature Category | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Browser Control | Operates in headless/UI modes, integrates with DevTools Protocol |
| Testing Tools | Handles UI testing, form automation, and trusted input events |
| Content Generation | Enables screenshot capture and PDF creation |
| Performance | Supports network interception and resource optimization |
Puppeteer continues to push the boundaries of browser automation. Its integration with advanced protocols like WebDriver BiDi and its potential for AI-powered automation position it as a leader in the field. These developments, combined with tools that require little to no coding, make Puppeteer a strong contender for advanced automation tasks.
While Playwright offers broader support across multiple browsers, Puppeteer remains a top choice for Chrome-based automation, thanks to its performance optimization and developer-friendly design.
